The Taiwan you’ve always loved is beckoning with new adventures

With borders reopening and more flights taking to the skies, many of us are planning to finally make those repressed travel daydreams a reality. Just four hours by plane, it’s no exaggeration to say that Taiwan is high on the wish list of many Singaporeans.

This attractive island naturally has other destinations running for their money – every traveler is fighting for their money. People are known for their hospitality – a bonus for tourists who travel during this period. Taipei was even named as one of the top ten tourist cities in 2022 by Lonely Planet.

From the cultural hub of Kaohsiung to the bustling gateway city of Hualien, Taiwan is full of diversity and charm. It’s this familiarity that makes itinerary planning easier, while its vibrant energy ensures there’s always something new to discover.

unforgettable green adventure

If you, like many, have discovered the joy of cycling through park junctions or strolling the hiking trails of the Singapore Reserve over the past two years, Taiwan is a real playground for you.

Trails in Taiwan are always rewarding with scenery. Even a 15-minute drive like Xiangshan (accessible by subway) offers stunning city views with Taipei 101 towering into the sky. While the Taroko Gorge is known for its gorgeous green valleys and dreamy turquoise streams, tourists are exploring a few other parts of Taiwan to discover something different.

The highest volcano in Taiwan happens to be located in Beitou District, Taipei City, and Qixing Mountain promises quite well, reaching a height of 1,120m. There are clearly marked trails for easy hiking, taking you through spectacular sulphur fumaroles, green pastures and swaying bamboo forests.

Further on, the Linmei Shipan Trail in Yilan County, full of fern forests and roaring waterfalls, rewards a hot spring to retire after the hike. For a multi-day adventure, you’ll want to explore the Wuling Sixiu Trail in Shei Pa National Park. This multi-climate hike takes you through four mountain passes with misty forests, cloud vistas and flowery valleys.

Did you know that Taiwan is also known as the bicycle kingdom? The country is known for producing as much as 70% of the world’s mid-to-high-end bikes and has an enthusiastic cycling culture.

As with trekking, tourists can do it both ways. Ride briskly on the wind in Hualien Yunshanshui or most of Taitung, through woodlands and lakes in the former, rice fields and the coast in the other, and relax.

Those eager for a checklist challenge won’t be disappointed either. The twin towers challenge against time, starting from Fuguijiao Lighthouse, the northernmost point of the island, and completing the route to Eluanbi Lighthouse, the southernmost point, within 24 hours. Want a more competitive route? The Taiwan KOM Challenge is one of the most recognized events on the international racing calendar, with a total length of 105 kilometers and crossing altitudes from sea level in Hualien to 3,275m at Wuling Pass.

Cycling events in Taiwan continue to expand, and as the outbreak eases, one can expect the return of other events such as the Taiwan Cycling Festival.

travel with conscience

Two years of curtailing tourism have had an impact on the environment. The return of precious natural beauty has in turn encouraged a more serious mindset towards sustainable travel.

Like many other global destinations, Taiwan is nurturing a greener society with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Incredible success stories, such as the island’s high recycling rate (55%) and a nearly two-thirds reduction in personal daily waste disposal since 1998, we guarantee your visit will leave a smaller carbon footprint.

Another reason is the number of vegetarians on the island – the highest in East Asia at 13% – and the abundance of locally found food may have something to do with it. For those interested in exploring the road, there’s no better place to start than Ooh Cha Cha, Taipei’s first vegetarian restaurant. Located in Daan and Zhongzheng, you can choose from appetizing lentil salad, fragrant mushroom sandwiches and fragrant lemongrass tofu bowls. Other options include Herban Kitchen & Bar, while Mayur Indian Kitchen offers a delicious Indian menu. Even Michelin-approved restaurants like Le Palais, Ya Ge and Serenity are serving up plant-based cuisine.

If you get the chance to enjoy one of these meals, you’ll immediately see why Taiwan is primed for this green lifestyle – delicious produce here thanks to the freshness provided by home-grown farms from all over the country. Stroll through Alishan while visiting, or visit Taipei Neihu Baishi Lake Tourist Farm District to experience the incredible process of various tour groups firsthand.

Food Satisfaction

Delicious Taiwanese cuisine is indiscriminate in its presentation and can be found in casual places like Shilin and Raohe Night Market, and even further afield in Jiufen Old Street. Who can resist the Taiwanese breakfast of egg cakes, fried dough sticks and soy milk lined up at Fuhang Doujiang, or the national comfort food of beef noodle soup lined up on Taoyuan Street? Din Tai Fung’s dumplings? do not talk. With growing awareness of faith-based needs, Taiwan offers Muslim travelers a plethora of halal food options.

The thriving food scene also includes wonderful gastronomic delights. With 28 Michelin-starred restaurants in Taipei and Taichung, it’s worth exploring another side of Taiwanese cuisine. Chef Andre Chiang, who opened his flagship restaurant in Singapore, has relocated closer to his roots. With Raw, you will once again experience his imitative skills in hosting unforgettable dining events. For something more local, Mipon distills home-cooked Taiwanese classics, while Fujin Tree Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne pairs champagne with local delicacies.

The global rise of speakeasies can also be experienced in Taiwan. The laid-back AHA Saloon likes to make drinks using homegrown products like oolong tea and fermented pineapple in a retro musical setting, while Hanko 60 (accessible only through a seemingly unreliable cinema) scores points on bold containers and shocking themes very high. If you just want the best, visit Indulge Experimental Bistro. Since 2017, the cocktail stalwart has topped William Reed’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

These imaginative and skillful offerings speak to new experiences brewing on the island. Cheers to the new Taiwan.

New and familiar welcome you in Taiwan. Find more inspiration on the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Facebook and Instagram pages.